June24, 2019

Recent reports indicate that scientific studies related to the climate conducted by the Agriculture Research Service have been suppressed

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue after recent reports suggested that the Administration has suppressed scientific studies showing the effects of climate change.

“I write today to express my deep concern and alarm at recent reports that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) suppressed and deemphasized scientific studies conducted by the Agriculture Research Service (ARS) relating to the effects of climate change on agricultural production,” Klobuchar wrote. “When federally-funded scientific research is curtailed or withheld because of its attention to the consequences of climate change, farmers are cut out of participating in climate solutions and, at worst, unable to effectively mitigate and adapt their operations and infrastructure to its effects.”

The full text of the letter can be found below:

The Honorable Sonny Perdue

Secretary of Agriculture

United States Department of Agriculture

1400 Independence Ave., SW

Washington, DC 20250

Dear Secretary Perdue:

I write today to express my deep concern and alarm at recent reports that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) suppressed and deemphasized scientific studies conducted by the Agriculture Research Service (ARS) relating to the effects of climate change on agricultural production.

When federally-funded scientific research is curtailed or withheld because of its attention to the consequences of climate change, farmers are cut out of participating in climate solutions and, at worst, unable to effectively mitigate and adapt their operations and infrastructure to its effects.

The need to undertake a comprehensive approach to combating climate change becomes more apparent every day. Several reports from the last year – ranging from the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to the Fourth National Climate Assessment – have made it clear that inaction is not an option. Farmers, ranchers, and rural communities need to be empowered to be part of the solution and I have supported the reauthorization and funding of USDA conservation and energy programs that give farmers and ranchers the tools they need to make better choices about voluntary conservation, sequestering carbon emissions, utilizing energy efficient technologies, and developing homegrown energy resources.

I respectfully request that you provide answers to the following questions:

Which individual ARS studies were not publicized by the agency?

For each specific ARS study that was not publicized by the agency, please provide an explanation of the precise justification for not publicizing the study.

What actions has the agency taken to empower farmers, ranchers, and rural communities to plan for the consequences of climate change?

What steps does the agency plan to take going forward to ensure that climate science research is publicized?

Furthermore, I ask that you immediately identify and publicly release any ARS study related to climate science that was ignored, downplayed, or its findings held back.